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Lesson Plan Image

Swiveling Animal Insight Books

Students will learn interesting facts about an animal of their choice, then display this knowledge on pages in a swiveling book.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Brass Paper Fastener(s)
  • Heavy Paper
  • Hole Punch

Steps

  • Step 1

    Did you know that an octopus has up to 280 suction cups on each tentacle that they use to taste, grip, and smell? Or that starfish can regenerate lost arms? Have students Choose an animal to research. Ask them to choose some interesting facts to highlight and present in a book with pages that swivel.

  • Step 2

    To make the book, students can outline and cut the main body of the animal out of heavy paper or a recycled file folder and decorate it. Then they can cut out the additional parts, for example, legs, tentacles, arms, etc. Have them write some interesting facts they learned on each appendage. 

  • Step 3

    When all the parts are finished, have students layer the appendages behind the main body, which will become the cover of the book. Have them punch a hole through all the pages and fasten them with a brad (paper fastener). 

  • Step 4

    Have students swap their swivel books so that everyone can learn these interesting animal facts.

Standards

SCI: Ask questions about the features of phenomena observed and conclusions drawn from investigations or models. 

SCI: Design pictorial or graphic representations/models that are useful in communicating ideas. 

Adaptations

Have students create a swivel book about a chosen historical or current events figure. They can outline and cut out a figure of the person, then illustrate it. The swivel parts could be thought bubbles that swivel out to display information about the person's life and achievements.

Read a book such as "Why Do Animals Do That?" by Scott Matthews or "The Fascinating Animal Book" by Ginjer L. Clarke. Discuss some of the new insights about animals that the book presented.